The Rundown for November 12, 2019

HOUSE RELEASES MORE UKRAINIAN TRANSCRIPTS… Laura Cooper, the Pentagon official who oversaw U.S. policy in Ukraine, told House impeachment investigators last month that President Trump directed the freezing of $400 million in aid to the country in July, according to a transcript of her sworn deposition released yesterday. Cooper’s testimony before the three House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into Trump’s Ukraine dealings detailed confusion and concern among U.S. national security agencies after the White House halted the aid without explanation. Trump allegedly ordered the money withheld until Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy publicly launched an investigation into Trump’s political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Also released yesterday was testimony from Catherine Croft and Christopher Anderson, who advised Ambassador Kurt Volker on Ukraine policy. Public hearings in the investigation are set to begin tomorrow.

JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP TAX-RETURN LAWSUIT… A federal judge yesterday dismissed President Trump’s lawsuit to stop the House Ways and Means Committee from obtaining state tax returns under a recently enacted New York law. Judge Carl Nichols, whom Trump appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, dismissed the case based on lack of jurisdiction. Trump filed the suit in July after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill allowing the state to share information with Congress.

CONGRESSMAN PETER KING WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION… Fourteen-term Republican Congressman Peter King of New York announced yesterday that he won’t run for re-election in 2020. In making the announcement, King said he plans to vote against President Trump’s impeachment and will support the president’s bid for re-election. King becomes the 20th House Republican to announce that he won’t seek re-election next year.

U.S. SUB FOUND ALMOST 75 YEARS AFTER SINKING… An organization dedicated to finding dozens of lost war subs says it has found a World War II submarine that was sunk with 80 sailors on board and has been missing since February 26, 1944. The USS Grayback was discovered more than 1,400 feet underwater about 50 miles south of Okinawa, Japan, according to the “Lost 52 Project” team. The sub was sunk by a Nakajima b5N carrier bomber during its 10th war patrol but an incorrect Japanese translation of war records included an incorrect latitude and longitude of where the sub went down and hindered its discovery.

JIMMY CARTER TO UNDERGO PROCEDURE THIS MORNING… Former President Carter was admitted to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta yesterday and is scheduled to undergo a procedure this morning to relieve pressure on his brain. Doctors say the pressure is caused by bleeding due to his two recent falls. The 95-year-old Carter was reported to be resting comfortably last night.

ARCTIC BLAST SPREADS ACROSS U.S… An Arctic blast is spreading record-breaking temperatures across the U.S. Forecasters say about 222 million Americans will be chilled by below-freezing temperatures. The affected area spans from the central plains to New England and as far south as Florida. At least 25 states will be struck by snow and freezing temperatures.

ENTERTAINMENT‘CRIMINAL MINDS’ RETURNS IN JANUARY… CBS announced yesterday that “Criminal Minds” will return for its final season in January. The January 8 Season 15 premiere will be a special two-hour episode. The series stars Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, Matthew Gray Gubler, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez and Daniel Henney.

BLACK CROWES REUNITING FOR TOUR… The Black Crowes are planning to reunite and tour in June. The “Shake Your Money Maker” tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of the rock band’s album of the same name. The tour will feature the group’s first live shows since 2013.

SPORTSMONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL…Seattle 27 – SAN FRANCISCO 24 (OT)… Jason Myers booted a 47-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to lift the Seahawks (8-2) over the 49ers (8-1). Russell Wilson passed for 232 yards and a touchdown. Jadeveon Clowney returned a fumble 10 yards for a score.

NBA SCORES…Minnesota 120 – DETROIT 114… The Timberwolves built a 15-point lead after the first quarter and held on to beat the Pistons. They got 33 points from Andrew Wiggins and 25 from Karl-Anthony Towns.

BOSTON 116 – Dallas 106… Kemba Walker knocked down three 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter and finished with 29 points in leading the Celtics past the Mavericks. Jaylen Brown had 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Houston 122 – NEW ORLEANS 116… James Harden scored 13 straight points during a stretch of the fourth quarter and finished with 39 points in leading the Rockets past the Pelicans. Russell Westbrook tossed in 26 points. Clint Capela grabbed 20 rebounds to go with his 11 points.

L.A. CLIPPERS 98 – Toronto 88… The Clippers held the Raptors to 10 fourth-quarter points to pull away with the win. Lou Williams came off the bench to deliver 21 points.

MLB NEWS… New York Mets first-baseman Pete Alonso collected 29 of 30 first-place votes in being named the National League Rookie of the Year. Alonso slugged a rookie-record 53 home runs and drove in 120 runs. Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was a unanimous selection in the American League after batting .313 with 27 homers and 78 RBIs.